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Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis How to Request: Complete Guide for Moroccans in Germany

2025-10-05

Learn how to request a Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis online or in person, understand Belegart O vs N, fees, and get your Moroccan criminal record for visa purposes.

Getting the right paperwork sorted before or after your move to Germany can feel overwhelming — especially when German bureaucracy loves giving everything a long, complicated name. The Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis is one of those documents that shows up constantly: employers ask for it, immigration offices require it, and landlords sometimes want it too. If you're a Moroccan planning to work or study in Germany, knowing exactly how to request a Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis — and understanding which type you need — will save you serious time and stress.

What Is a Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis?

A Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis is Germany's official criminal record certificate. It's issued by the Bundesamt für Justiz (Federal Office of Justice) and lists any criminal convictions recorded against you in Germany's central register (Bundeszentralregister). Employers, licensing authorities, and immigration offices use it to verify that you have no disqualifying criminal history.

Think of it as Germany's equivalent of Morocco's Casier Judiciaire (judicial record extract) — but with some important differences in how it's used and who sees what.

What Does It Actually Show?

Not every conviction appears on the certificate. Minor fines and petty offences are often filtered out automatically. What usually appears:

• Convictions with prison sentences over a certain threshold
• Entries relevant to the specific purpose of the certificate (this depends on the type you request — more on that below)
• Court orders and probation rulings

If the certificate shows no entries, it simply states "Keine Eintragungen" — meaning your record is clean for the purpose requested.

Belegart O vs Belegart N: Which Type Do You Need?

This is the question that trips up almost everyone requesting a Führungszeugnis for the first time. There are two main types, and requesting the wrong one means starting over.

Belegart O — For Private Purposes

Belegart O (O stands for "ordinary") is the standard certificate issued directly to you. You receive it at home or at the Bürgeramt, and you can then hand it to whoever requested it — your employer, your landlord, a professional association, or an Ausländerbehörde (immigration office).

Use Belegart O when:

• A private employer or recruiter asked for a criminal record check
• You need it for a rental application
• A professional body (e.g., a chamber of commerce, engineering association) requires it
• You're applying for a work permit or Blue Card as part of your personal document package

Belegart N — Sent Directly to an Authority

Belegart N (N stands for "behördlich" — authority-related) is sent directly from the Bundesamt für Justiz to the requesting German authority. You never see the full contents. This version is used when a German public authority (Behörde) officially demands access — for example, for teacher licensing, childcare positions, or working with vulnerable groups.

Use Belegart N when:

• A school or Jugendamt requires it for a position involving children
• A public authority has explicitly told you to apply for the "behördliches Führungszeugnis"
• You are applying for a firearms licence or similar regulated activity

Important: When applying for Belegart N, you must provide the exact name and address of the receiving authority. Without it, the application will be rejected.

How to Request a Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis: Step by Step

You have two main options: online or in person at a Bürgeramt. The online route is faster and easier — but only available to people already registered in Germany (with a registered address, or Meldeadresse).

Option 1 — Online via the Bundesamt für Justiz Portal

1. Go to www.fuehrungszeugnis.bund.de
2. Click "Beantragen" (Apply)
3. Log in using your BundID account (Germany's digital identity portal) or your Online-Ausweis (electronic ID — requires a German residence permit with eID chip or German ID card)
4. Select the type: Belegart O or Belegart N
5. Enter your personal details and, for Belegart N, the authority's address
6. Pay the fee of €13 by direct debit (SEPA Lastschrift) or credit card
7. Receive the certificate by post within 3–5 business days

Practical note: If you're still in Morocco and haven't registered in Germany yet, the online portal won't work for you. You'll need to apply in person once you arrive and complete your Anmeldung (registration).

Option 2 — In Person at the Bürgeramt

If you can't use the online option, visit your local Bürgeramt (citizens' service centre). In large cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, or Cologne, you'll need to book an appointment in advance — sometimes weeks ahead.

What to bring:

• Your valid passport or Reiseausweis
• Your German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), if you have one
• Your Meldebestätigung (registration confirmation) if you registered recently
• €13 in cash (some Bürgerämter now accept card — check before you go)
• If applying for Belegart N: the name and full postal address of the receiving authority

The clerk will process your application on the spot. The certificate is then mailed to your registered address — not handed to you at the counter.

Processing time: Typically 3–7 business days, occasionally longer during busy periods.

Fees and Validity

• Standard fee: €13 for both Belegart O and Belegart N
• Exemptions: If you can prove you need the certificate for social welfare applications or voluntary work (Ehrenamt), you may apply for a fee waiver. Bring documentation showing your eligibility.
• Validity: There is no official legal expiry date, but most employers and authorities expect a certificate dated within the last 3 months. Some ask for no older than 6 weeks. Always check what your specific requester accepts.

How Moroccans Can Obtain the Moroccan Equivalent for Visa Purposes

If you're applying for a German visa from Morocco — for an Ausbildung (vocational training), a work visa, or a Blue Card — the German embassy in Rabat or Casablanca will typically require proof that you have no criminal record in Morocco. The German Führungszeugnis only covers your record in Germany, so you'll need the Moroccan equivalent separately.

The Casier Judiciaire (Bulletin N°3)

In Morocco, the document equivalent to the Führungszeugnis is the Casier Judiciaire, specifically Bulletin N°3 (the third extract, which is the version issued to private individuals and employers).

How to obtain it:

• Visit the tribunal de première instance (court of first instance) in your city — Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fès, etc.
• Or request it online via www.portail.justice.gov.ma (available for Moroccan nationals with a CIN)
• Bring your Carte Nationale d'Identité (CIN) or passport
• The fee is minimal (usually around 20–30 MAD)
• Processing time: same day in person, 2–3 days online

For the German visa application: The embassy usually requires the Casier Judiciaire to be issued within 3–6 months of your visa appointment and, in many cases, accompanied by a certified translation into German. Confirm the exact requirements with the Deutsche Botschaft Rabat (www.rabat.diplo.de) or the relevant consulate in your city.

Apostille — Do You Need One?

For most standard Ausbildung and employment visa applications, the Casier Judiciaire does not need an apostille. However, if you are applying for a position that requires enhanced background checks (e.g., childcare, healthcare, or teaching), an apostille may be required. You can obtain an apostille from the Ministère de la Justice in Morocco.

Common Pitfalls: What People Get Wrong

• Requesting the wrong Belegart: Many people apply for Belegart O when their employer or authority specifically needs Belegart N, or vice versa. Always ask the requester in writing which type they need before you apply.
• Using an outdated certificate: A Führungszeugnis issued 5 months ago might be rejected. Check the recency requirement before submitting.
• Forgetting to register first: The online portal requires a German Meldeadresse. If you haven't done your Anmeldung yet, you cannot apply online.
• Not getting the Moroccan record translated: The German embassy expects documents in German or French. A Casier Judiciaire in Arabic only will often be returned or cause delays.
• Mixing up Führungszeugnis with Führerschein: They sound similar. One is your criminal record certificate. The other is your driving licence. Yes, this mix-up really does happen.
• Paying the wrong fee: Some third-party websites charge €25–€50 to "help" you apply. The official fee is €13. Always use www.fuehrungszeugnis.bund.de or your local Bürgeramt.

Conclusion

The Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis is a straightforward document once you understand the system — and knowing how to request it correctly, whether online or in person, and whether you need Belegart O or N, makes the whole process quick and painless. For Moroccans preparing their German visa application, pairing your German criminal record certificate with a fresh Casier Judiciaire from Morocco covers all bases.

If you're still building your application documents — from your CV to your cover letter for an Ausbildung or job — Book a consultation with our German immigration specialist (€16) to plan your move and let us guide you through every step of the process.